Natural Resources Management Levy

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (14:50): My question is again to the Minister for Local Government.

An honourable member: Here we go.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Hopefully. Can the minister confirm the number of discussions he has held with the Local Government Association on their concerns for continually collecting the natural resources management levy, which may increase by 150 per cent in 2017; and, from these discussions, what action has the Minister for Local Government taken to control these government required NRM increases?

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned. Minister.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government) (14:51): I have regular discussions with the President and the CE of the Local Government Association and we have various discussions, as I have with the member for Goyder, about local council issues and so forth. We have a wide range of discussions. I cannot particularly tell him exactly how many times—I think it is once or twice—about concerns about collecting the NRM levy. However, my concern is that the opposition appears to be not putting up any solutions about anything whatsoever. We may be—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir. Under standing order 98, the minister is prevented from debating and must just respond to the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. Minister.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I have finished, Mr Speaker.